In Lewis County, Tug Hill Artisan Roasters has been making major building and energy improvements to the old jailhouse the popular coffee shop now occupies in downtown Lowville, N.Y. A true coffee connoisseur with a passion for every step of the farm-to-cup process, Scott Gilbert brought his attention to detail and quality to the deteriorating jailhouse he and his wife Vanessa purchased in 2022 for their rapidly growing business. Scott worked closely with ANCA’s Center for Pandemic Response (ANCA CPR) and Energy Circuit Rider Annie Arnold to secure grant funds, local contractors and a plan to replace the building’s outdated heating and cooling system with cleaner, cheaper air source heat pumps. The heat pumps are already helping the business cut costs while improving comfort for workers and customers.
“Working with Annie was great. I really didn’t have to do anything, which really helped because I don’t have the time to coordinate funding and logistics for this kind of project. I’m grateful for all the ways ANCA has assisted the business this past year — their support really makes a difference.” ~ Scott Gilbert